Question
How long can I live if I’m taking HIV treatment (ART)?
15 January 2018. Related: All topics, Life expectancy, Living with HIV long-term.
Can HIV kill when you have an undetectable viral load? I’m doing well on medication and how long can i live to the cure? Lastly, why cant I stop thinking about my HIV status – first thing in the morning and also just before I fall asleep?
Polio have been eradicated but why cant scientists do the same for HIV?
Answer
The quick answer is that with modern HIV drugs (called ART) your life expectancy is likely to be similar to if you were HIV negative. The earlier someone is diagnosed and start ART, the quicker any damage from HIV can be reversed.
For most people, HIV is easy to treat and easy to manage. ART can give you a normal life expectancy and an excellent quality of life.
Hw long anyone will live depends on things you can change (smoking, exercise, medication) and thing you can’t (genetics and luck). A study in Denmark (2005) estimated that the survival is more than 35 years for a young person diagnosed with HIV infection and another study in Canada (2003) report that in the US, life expectancy at age 20 years was an additional 58.3 years.
As long as your CD4 count stays above 200 cells/mm3, the risk of most HIV complications is pretty low. At higher CD4 levels – above 350, or 500, or 700 – the risk becomes lower still. Although some health problems are slightly higher in HIV positive people compared to HIV negative people, these risks are also often reduced by ART.
If you continue to take your medication as prescribed and do not miss or taking doses late, then the risk of HIV health problems in the future s very low. However, just as HIV negative people become ill, lifestyle changes to reduce these risks are important if you are HIV positive. For example, keeping mentally and physically active, eating a balanced diet, resting well, not smoking etc).
Having HIV might not always be easy though. The shock of being diagnosed sometimes takes a long time to come to terms with and at the moment you are still working on this. Already, I am sure you feel better than when you were first diagnosed and this will continue to become easier every year.
Most people worry about the impact of HIV on their life. This could bewhy you think about your HIV status on a daily basis. If this continues to be difficult perhaps get in touch with a local support group or ask about counselling. Talking about your HIV status can help you to deal with it and also through group support you can share experiences and also learn from one another. You do not have to deal with it in isolation.
Finally, you asked about research into a cure. HIV is very complex in a way that is different to polio. Although currently there is no vaccine or cure, there is a lot of ongoing research.
HIV treatment is one of the successes of modern medicine. The breadth and expertise in scientific advances has not only developed 30 medications in five drug classes but this research has contributed to many other areas of medicine.
Even though curing HIV is difficult, there are lots of reasons to be optimistic.
This question was updated in January 2018 from an original answer posted in November 2011. (See: Question 10 at this link for more information).
I feel the same and i don’t know what to do, i got drunk and this guy took advantage of me he knew he had HIV but he fucked me without protection , i was too drunk to do anything. I despite him alot and I even despite myself now. I’m medical student, It’s my first year but this infection turned my life upset down, i don’t know what to do. is it even worth it to continue my studies now?
Hi Thando,
When you say viral load, do you mean CD4 count?
Feeling upset and depressed is common when you have HIV. This can be helped by talking about your status. If you don’t feel like you family are supportive, could you join a support group?
You not feeling well could be due to the HIV. However diarrhea is caused by all sorts of things.
You’ve mentioned that you aren’t regularly checked. This is something that you need to address. You should also consider starting medication. This is because the World Health Organisation recommend that everyone is on meds, This includes people with high CD4s.
Hey I got infected with the virus last year March
My viral load was 538 by then
And they told me to not worry about starting the treatment as yet..
The problem is I only went to the clinic once and visited a counsellor a few times
I never went back for a check up and I think it’s because of fear
Am not really depressed but at times I turn to think about it and cry
My mom and sister know but I can’t really say they supportive
It’s like they have forgotten about it
I always wonder what people will say if it came out cause I was never into relationships
I just fell inlove with this one guy and got infected then from breaking my virginity
I despise him so much though
.
Today am am experiencing a diarrhoea and I dunno why
Am not feeling sick though
I don’t know what to do please help
Hi Selaelo,
Being diagnosed with HIV can be a shocked. Just give yourself some time to think and slow down. Is there anyone that you can talk to? A close friend or relative?
We’ve some info on our site that’s for people who are newly diagnosed, you might find this helpful:
http://i-base.info/hiv-positive/
If you need anything specific, please contact us.
I’ve just found out that I’ve got HIV.
Hi Zwothe,
How people react to their status varies, and varies over time. When was she diagnosed? And is she on meds?
Crying is common. If she can get some support this may help. This could be from others who are living with HIV, or professional.
What’s important is to try and explain to her that HIV is a very manageable health condition. And that because of ARVs she can expect to have a normal life, and a normal life expectancy. She can also go onto have a family if this is something that she wants. Having kids is something that many HIV positive people do.
It gets easier over time.
My young sister is 23 and she is HIV positive. She is always stressed and crying. What can I do?
Hi Vineet,
There is a process called sperm washing that can be done. However, I’m not sure if this is available in India. Therefore, I think you should talk to your fertility doctor and also your HIV consultant.
Hello,
Me and my wife are planning for a baby through IUI. During this the doctor requested me for blood test and I tested positive for HIV. My wife is negative. Can she have my baby through IUI and what are the risk involved to my wife?
Hi Kgothatso,
OK. Even if its low, she can still recover. This is because the ARVs will have started to work as soon as she began taking them. If her CD4 is below 350 she will also need to be on co-trixoxazole. Is she taking this? Also, is her doctor a pediatric HIV specialist?